Yogadrstisamuccaya and Yogavinshika

SR No.: 011128
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: K K Dixit
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad
Total Pages: 139
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 6 MB

Page 115

APPENDIX II
107
by other can be shown to resemble those maintained by his own tradition. But in sharp contrast to the authors with whom we are compraing him Haribhadra openly comes out against theological sectarianism, and here lies the most unique feature of his writings on yoga- particularly of the Yogadṛṣṭisamuccaya and Yogabindu.
As a logical corollary to his aversion - perhaps growing aversion - to theological narrow-mindedness Haribhadra was compelled to lay more emphasis on things that united the various theological orders than on those that divided them. Hence it is that tendency to avoid metaphysical controversies is more marked in the Yogadṛṣṭisamuccaya (a later work) than in the Yogabindu (an earlier work)-a circumstance owing to which the anti-sectarian arguments of the former are more telling than those of the latter. However, even while thus gradually dissociating himself from metaphysical speculations Haribhadra did not think it proper to put greater and greater emphasis on the questions of ethics questions around which it was really possible to build a stable unity of the people belonging to various theological orders. As a matter of fact, Haribhadra's treatment of ethical questions is perhaps poorer both in comparison to that of a work like the Gita and in comparison to that of a work like the Bodhicaryavatara. The reason for this unfortunate state of affairs is Haribhadra's feeling that a general faith in the doctrines-- rather dogmas of mokşa and omniscience is sufficient to demolish all barriers separating man from man, and in this, we are afraid, he was mistaken. We do not deny that the doctrines of mokşa and omniscience were upheld in common by almost all those theological orders which Haribhadra sought to unite; our point is that they did not constitute the most formidable plank of the platform of unity. But when all is said and done, ungrudging praise remains due to Haribhadra for his having sown the seed of a genuine type of humanism at a time when theological bigotary was the order of the day.
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